Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2018-19

Final Score From Saturday, October 13th
Ohio State 2
Minnesota State 1
(O.T.)

Playing The Field

The Alpha was fine; the Buckeyes opened the scoring just 1:21 into the game. The Omega was very cool; the GWG came with only 53 seconds left in overtime. But all efforts in between met with considerable resistance.

Playing with 11 Forwards on Friday, setting OSU's line combinations got a little fancy. But when second line Center Gabby Rosenthal went down with an injury early in Saturday's tilt, the difficulty went up to a whole new level.

After the injury, and aided by a string of five Power Plays, the Mankato took control of the game for a long stretch. They managed to tie the score at 1. Perhaps the Buckeyes were fortunate that this was extent of the Maverick scoring. A key turning point came when the Buckeyes successfully killed off a 5 on 3 Maverick advantage.

Once the Buckeyes regained control of the game, they outshot the Visitors by a substantial margin. But the Mav defense proved to be very stingy. Which Buckeye would break the tie?

When handicapping a horse race, sometimes there's an obvious favorite. Other times there's a handful of strong contenders who are likely to win, place or show. But for some races, all you can do is Play The Field. Like today.

Three Stars Of The Game: Decidedly Unofficial & Just For Fun

Honorable Mention: (tie) Liz Schepers, Ohio State and Emma Maltais, Ohio State
No margin for error in this one. The calm finish Liz gave us on the first goal, and Emma's brilliant cross-slot pass on the game winner were both vitally important.

#3 Star: (tie)Andrea Braendli, Ohio State and Abigail Levy, Minnesota State
Recognizing both defenses is a must; I'll let the two goalies take the bow. Like football quarterbacks, goalies sometimes get too much credit for success and too much blame when defenses fall short. Defense is, of course, a team effort. But in this case both goalies parlayed steady play into robust save totals and strong save percentages. Both stars were well earned.

#2 Star: (tie)Tristen Truax, Minnesota State; Jordan McLaughlin, Minnesota State and Corbin Boyd, Minnesota State
Impressive game for Mankato's top line. Tristen scored the Mavs' goal; Jordan had one of the assists. Even more importantly, they shut down Ohio State's top scoring threats throughout the contest. Big, strong, hardworking and smart, they play the whole 200 feet. Despite losing 2-1, the entire line was +1 for the game. Translating that doesn't require a math major.

#1 Star: Madison Field, Ohio State
Today playing the Field was the best possible bet. On the first goal, Madison created the scoring chance with a strong drive to the slot. Couldn't tell if the puck advanced to Schepers on a direct pass or a rebound. Regardless, Liz was quite happy to convert the feed.

First the Field Feed, then the Field Finish. Break-out pass by Charly Dahlquist. Long carry & cross-slot pass by Maltais, as referenced above. Then Madison completed the play -- and the game -- with an authoritative finish into the back of the Minnesota State net.

Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2018-19

I wasn't there for either last & this Saturday's games. Does anyone think we aren't having enough left in the tank after strong Friday performances?

Legitimate question. But not my first guess. Or, at the very least, it's more complicated than that.

The Buckeyes started both Saturday games strong. The let downs came mostly in the second period.

When the second period becomes a concern, the long change has to be considered a suspect. But I can't really recall specific instances.

More likely the short turnaround between our Friday & Saturday games has something to do with it. It's tough to play 120+ minutes in less than 24 hours. And while I haven't done any systemic checking, I believe our typical schedule is something of an exception to the general pattern. Maybe the Visitors have a tendency to start slow on Saturdays, but gain strength as the game goes on?

Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2018-19

Legitimate question. But not my first guess. Or, at the very least, it's more complicated than that.

The Buckeyes started both Saturday games strong. The let downs came mostly in the second period.

When the second period becomes a concern, the long change has to be considered a suspect. But I can't really recall specific instances.

More likely the short turnaround between our Friday & Saturday games has something to do with it. It's tough to play 120+ minutes in less than 24 hours. And while I haven't done any systemic checking, I believe our typical schedule is something of an exception to the general pattern. Maybe the Visitors have a tendency to start slow on Saturdays, but gain strength as the game goes on?

Just thinking out loud...

I would agree it's probably more complicated than my original question. I had forgotten about the early start times on the Saturday games but let us also not forget the parity of our opponent having the same amount of rest as us. Another factor could be simply our opponent after facing us on Friday adjusted to our play. Whatever the reason or reasons for our Saturday games being more difficult for us I'm sure it is not lost on our coaches and they will be addressing it to try and keep our second games from being so tight.

Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2018-19

Originally Posted by Hockeybuckeye

I would agree it's probably more complicated than my original question. I had forgotten about the early start times on the Saturday games but let us also not forget the parity of our opponent having the same amount of rest as us. Another factor could be simply our opponent after facing us on Friday adjusted to our play. Whatever the reason or reasons for our Saturday games being more difficult for us I'm sure it is not lost on our coaches and they will be addressing it to try and keep our second games from being so tight.

Good point on the same amount of rest.

Also, I'm sure Visitor adjustments have played a role. And yet, why the second period aspect? After 60 minutes of action, the opponents can't quite put their finger on a solution, but after 80 minutes the light bulb goes on? That doesn't quite ring true.

Part of me says we're overthinking this. It may be no more complicated than when a series is competitive, there's a natural tendency to split.

Regardless, I'm sure that the coaching staff will be addressing the issue. That's why they're paid the big bucks. Well, the medium bucks.

Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2018-19

Originally Posted by pgb-ohio

And yet, why the second period aspect?

Strange isn't it how teams do better only during certain parts of games?
Our football team seems to be a second half team and prior to last season our men's hockey team consistently would fall asleep during 2nd period.

Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2018-19

Originally Posted by pgb-ohio

Playing with 11 Forwards on Friday, setting OSU's line combinations got a little fancy. But when second line Center Gabby Rosenthal went down with an injury early in Saturday's tilt, the difficulty went up to a whole new level.

Completely agree with this! Sincerely hope the injuries don't keep the kids sidelined for long. We're down 3 forwards, a defenseman, and a goaltender. On the bright side, the fact that we were still able to sweep shows how much depth we have. Plus, the experience our younger players are getting now will pay dividends down the road.

As for the whole Friday/Saturday thing, I have always thought the long travel before the Friday games, then getting a good night's sleep and just having to get on a bus and drive to the OSU Ice Rink had something to do with the visiting teams being better on Saturday, but that's just another theory, which hasn't always been true. Some teams have come in and gave us better games on Friday, then we beat them worse on Saturday, so it is certainly not an exact science. As you said, "It's more complicated than that."

Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2018-19

Originally Posted by osualum86

Completely agree with this! Sincerely hope the injuries don't keep the kids sidelined for long. We're down 3 forwards, a defenseman, and a goaltender. On the bright side, the fact that we were still able to sweep shows how much depth we have. Plus, the experience our younger players are getting now will pay dividends down the road.

All true. Somebody should tell the injury bug to move on; we've already had our full share...

As for the whole Friday/Saturday thing, I have always thought the long travel before the Friday games, then getting a good night's sleep and just having to get on a bus and drive to the OSU Ice Rink had something to do with the visiting teams being better on Saturday, but that's just another theory, which hasn't always been true...

Or in some cases, they just have to walk across the street from the Blackwell. Now that's what I call an agreeable commute!

Don't ask which teams; I've made no such mental notes. It's just that on several occasions over the years, I've noticed visiting players trooping over there.

Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2018-19

Great article, thanks for sharing Lindsay! I subscribe to The Athletic just for Alison's stories about OSU Women's Hockey and the stories about my Blue Jackets! I actually saw Alison after Saturday's game and asked her if we were going to see something in The Athletic about OSU Women's Hockey. I have to respectfully disagree with your comment after the story about our "inconsistency." We were whistled for five penalties in the second period. Tough to match the opponent's shots on goal numbers when you're on the PK for half the period. Or maybe it wasn't you, maybe it was someone else named Lindsay. It's all good, though. I was happy with the sweep considering the injuries we are dealing with right now. Thankfully we should get some of the injured players back soon.

Great article, thanks for sharing Lindsay! I subscribe to The Athletic just for Alison's stories about OSU Women's Hockey and the stories about my Blue Jackets! I actually saw Alison after Saturday's game and asked her if we were going to see something in The Athletic about OSU Women's Hockey. I have to respectfully disagree with your comment after the story about our "inconsistency." We were whistled for five penalties in the second period. Tough to match the opponent's shots on goal numbers when you're on the PK for half the period. Or maybe it wasn't you, maybe it was someone else named Lindsay. It's all good, though. I was happy with the sweep considering the injuries we are dealing with right now. Thankfully we should get some of the injured players back soon.

Hahah yes that was me! I will defer to you as you see it live. Was thinking of that second period plus the 5 unanswered goals from last week. Lots of moving parts in a game though, no control over the refs and other team and as you indicate, thatís part of the story too. Bottom line is the Buckeyes are 5-1, and 4th ranked in the country, a season start just about anyone would want.

As for The Athletic, yes I really enjoy their Blue Jackets coverage. Alison, Porty, and Tom Reed do a wonderful job, and the womenís hockey stuff from Alison is like a bonus. I hope the womenís hockey features keep coming. I was hesitant to share here bc people get worked up about paywalls, so Iím glad at least one person could read it.

Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2018-19

Originally Posted by Lindsay

Hahah yes that was me! I will defer to you as you see it live. Was thinking of that second period plus the 5 unanswered goals from last week. Lots of moving parts in a game though, no control over the refs and other team and as you indicate, that’s part of the story too. Bottom line is the Buckeyes are 5-1, and 4th ranked in the country, a season start just about anyone would want.

As for The Athletic, yes I really enjoy their Blue Jackets coverage. Alison, Porty, and Tom Reed do a wonderful job, and the women’s hockey stuff from Alison is like a bonus. I hope the women’s hockey features keep coming. I was hesitant to share here bc people get worked up about paywalls, so I’m glad at least one person could read it.

Yeah, I subscribed to The Athletic last season after Alison wrote that story about Kassidy Sauve. I am happy to pay the $7.99 a month for the stories. Totally agree with your assessment that Alison, Portzline, and Tom Reed do a great job with that.

Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2018-19

Looking forward to what should be a great series this weekend. For fans of either team who can't be at Ridder in person both games will be streamed on FloHockey.com . I see also where both of the Ohio State/UMass men's games will also be streamed.

Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2018-19

Originally Posted by D2D

Looking forward to what should be a great series this weekend. For fans of either team who can't be at Ridder in person both games will be streamed on FloHockey.com . I see also where both of the Ohio State/UMass men's games will also be streamed.

I'll be at our men's game but I feel this weekend's women's games will be a great challenge for both OSU & Minnesota. If one of the teams sweep they will most likely be on a path to be the top team in the conference for at least awhile.

Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2018-19

Originally Posted by Hockeybuckeye

I'll be at our men's game but I feel this weekend's women's games will be a great challenge for both OSU & Minnesota. If one of the teams sweep they will most likely be on a path to be the top team in the conference for at least awhile.

With all the injuries we have right now, I will be fine with a split this weekend. I think we are going to see a hungry Gopher team that remembers us taking 11 of 12 points from them last season. OTOH, Ohio State will be out to silence the continued disrespect and rhetoric that last season was somehow a fluke or that we "snuck up on people." Our girls are well aware of what gets said about them. Should be interesting. I don't expect either team to sweep. I just want to get our kids healthy so we are back to full strength. It has been nice to see that we are much deeper than in the past. Bodes well for the rest of the season.

Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2018-19

Minnesota takes game one tonight by a final score of 3-0. The Gophers dominated the shots on goal numbers tonight 47-18. Buckeye netminder Andrea Braendli stood tall in net and kept the Bucks within striking distance, stopping 44 of the 46 shots she faced. Minnesota goaltender Alex Gulstene stopped all 18 shots she faced to get the shutout. The Gopher goals were scored by Taylor Williamson (2) and Catie Skaja. The teams were scoreless in the first. Taylor Williamson scored the first goal for the Gophers in the second period, which turned out to be the game-winner. The game stayed at 1-0 until Minnesota's Catie Skaja added another goal late in the third period to make it 2-0. Taylor Williamson added an empty netter to make the final score 3-0. The two teams wrap up their series tomorrow at 4:07 pm EST. If the Buckeyes are going to split this one, they will need to find a way to generate more offense tomorrow.

Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2018-19

Originally Posted by FiveHoleFrenzy

Those were amazingly bad uniforms...Like Darth Vader bad.

I watched a bit too, and maybe with hoods they could be Voldemort? I actually re-signed in because I noticed FHF's "if we had anything to declare" quote at the bottom. After many, many trips across the border, with many more to come, I laughed and agree.

Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2018-19

Originally Posted by FiveHoleFrenzy

Those were amazingly bad uniforms...Like Darth Vader bad.

I've spent the last couple of years complaining about how ugly the Skating Tomatoes road uniforms were, so never let it be said that the Ohio State athletic department cannot successfully identify a problem and make it significantly worse.

At least I'm no longer arguing that the helmets should be brown so they look like stems.

Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2018-19

It sounds like we won't have those jerseys to kick around anymore. According to a tweet by Dan Hamann, the league office has informed OSU that they will start today's game shorthanded if they wear them again.